banco de arena
/banko de aɾena/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for sandbar is banco de arena.
banco de arena refers to a ridge or bank of sand. When describing a boat hitting or getting stuck on a sandbar, the standard verb to use is encallar (to run aground).
Meaning: ridge of sand (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of banco (bank or bench), de (of) and arena (sand).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'sandbars', you only pluralize the noun: bancos de arena.
Did you know?
- The English word 'arena' comes from the exact same Latin root as the Spanish word for sand, arena, because ancient arenas were often covered in sand.
- While banco de arena refers to sand, the word banco is also used to describe a 'school' of fish, such as un banco de peces.
- While banco de arena describes a physical sandbar, the word banco is also the standard term for a 'bank' where you keep your money.
Examples in context
- Topamos con un banco de arena.We hit a sandbar.This sentence shows how to use banco de arena when saying you hit a sandbar.Tatoeba #7932071 by Seael, translation #7782470 by Hybrid
- El barco topó con un banco de arena.The ship hit a sandbar.This sentence shows how to use banco de arena when referring to a ship hitting one.Tatoeba #7932073 by Seael, translation #7782468 by Hybrid
- Mi barca encalló en un banco de arena.My boat ran aground on a sandbar.This sentence shows how to use banco de arena when describing a boat running aground.Tatoeba #7932077 by Seael, translation #2985585 by sharptoothed
- El banco de arena se forma debido a la acción de las corrientes marinas.The sandbar forms due to the action of ocean currents.
- ¡Mira esa barra de arena, podemos caminar hasta la isla!Look at that sandbar, we can walk to the island!
- La barra de arena se formó después de la intensa tormenta.The sandbar formed after the intense storm.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at the sea from a balcony.
- Lucía¿Ves ese banco de arena allá?Do you see that sandbar over there?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, es muy bonito.Yes, Lucía, it is very beautiful.
- LucíaParece un lugar perfecto para nadar.It looks like a perfect place to swim.
- AlejandroEs verdad, vamos mañana.That's true, let's go tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arena, banco, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
